ABSTRACT

This paper critically analyzes the narratives of 62 White male undergraduates and their consistent use of the n-word during their college years. Almost all heard and/or used the n-word, but rarely did they believe using the n-word was racist. Despite these beliefs, the participants almost never used any form of the n-word in the presence of People of Color, Black people in particular. There were some who felt uncomfortable with their friends’ casual use of the n-word, but they rarely challenged their peers fearing social discomfort. The analyses highlight different levels of responsibility for the racism embedded in both speaking and hearing this word as well as the White campus-based segregation that allowed the use of the term to flourish.

摘要

本文批判性地分析了 62 名白人男性本科生的叙述以及他们在大学期间对 n 词的一致使用。几乎所有人都听说过和/或使用过 n-word，但他们很少认为使用 n-word 是种族主义。尽管有这些信念，参与者几乎从未在有色人种，尤其是黑人在场时使用任何形式的 n 词。有些人对朋友随意使用 n 字感到不舒服，但他们很少挑战同龄人，因为他们害怕社交不适。该分析突出不同级别的嵌入种族主义责任都讲，听到这个词，以及，允许使用术语的蓬勃发展白校园为基础的分离。